Input apparatus and button arrangement for handheld device

Abstract

A media device for storing and playing media such as audio, video or images, includes a memory device configured to store a plurality of media items in a digital format. The media device also includes a display configured to present a group of media items from the plurality of stored media items and to present a visual indicator that is capable of scrolling through the displayed group of media items in order to designate a specific media item from the group of media items. The media device further includes a touch pad configured to receive input from a sliding motion or a tapping motion of a finger. The sliding motion of the finger controls the movement of the visual indicator through the group of media items. The tapping motion of the finger selects the specific media item that is designated by the visual indicator.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a movable circular ring, the movable circular ring coupled to one or more movement detection sensors such that movement of the movable circular ring enables generation of one or more first input signals; 
 a central touch sensitive area enclosed by the movable circular ring and configured such that a touch on the central touch sensitive area enables generation of one or more second input signals; and 
 an annular area between the movable circular ring and the central touch sensitive area, the annular area having a touch-sensitive outer surface coupled to a plurality of sensors and configured such that contact of an object with the touch-sensitive outer surface enables generation of one or more third input signals; 
 wherein at least one of multiple device functions is enabled by at least one of the one or more first input signal, the one or more second input signals, and the one or more third input signals. 
 
     
     
       2. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more third input signals corresponds to at least one of a location, a direction, a speed, and an acceleration of the object on the touch-sensitive outer surface. 
     
     
       3. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a display with a plurality of items, the device capable of scrolling through the plurality of items based on at least one of the one or more first input signals or at least one of the one or more third input signals. 
     
     
       4. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more third input signals corresponds to linear object motion across the annular area between the movable circular ring and the central touch sensitive area. 
     
     
       5. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more third input signals corresponds to circular object motion across the annular area between the movable circular ring and the central touch sensitive area. 
     
     
       6. A wearable computing device comprising the portable electronic device of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       7. A method for enabling a device function, comprising:
 generating movement of a movable circular ring; 
 detecting the movement from one or more movement detection sensors operatively coupled to the movable circular ring; 
 providing a central touch sensitive area enclosed by the movable circular ring and an annular area between the movable circular ring and the central touch sensitive area; 
 detecting a touch on the central touch sensitive area, or detecting an application of touch on one or more touch sensitive regions from a plurality of sensors operatively coupled to a touch-sensitive outer surface of the annular area; 
 interpreting at least one of the movement of the movable circular ring and the detected touch on the central touch-sensitive outer region or the detected touch from the plurality of sensors to determine at least one of multiple device functions to be performed. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the applied touch corresponds to at least one of a location, a direction, a speed, and an acceleration of the applied touch on the touch-sensitive outer surface. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein one of the multiple device functions to be performed comprises:
 scrolling through a plurality of items displayed on a display. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the applied touch corresponds to linear motion across the annular area between the movable circular ring and the central touch sensitive area. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the applied touch corresponds to circular motion across the annular area between the movable circular ring and the central touch sensitive area. 
     
     
       12. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 movable circular input means coupled to one or more movement detection sensors and configured for generating one or more first input signals upon movement of the movable circular input means; 
 central touch sensitive means enclosed by the movable circular input means such that a touch on the central touch sensitive means enables generation of one or more second input signals; and 
 annular touch-sensitive outer surface means between the movable circular input means and the central touch sensitive means, the annular touch-sensitive outer surface means coupled to a plurality of sensors and configured such that contact of an object with the annular touch-sensitive outer surface means enables generation of one or more third input signals 
 wherein at least one of multiple device functions is enabled by at least one of the one or more first input signals, the one or more second input signals, and the one or more third input signals. 
 
     
     
       13. The portable electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein one of the one or more third input signals corresponds to at least one of a location, a direction, a speed, and an acceleration of the object on the annular touch-sensitive outer surface means. 
     
     
       14. The portable electronic device of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 display means configured to display a plurality of items, the device capable of scrolling through the plurality of items based on at least one of the one or more first input signals or at least one of the one or more third input signals. 
 
     
     
       15. The portable electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein one of the one or more third input signals corresponds to linear object motion across the annular touch-sensitive outer surface means between the movable circular input means and the central touch sensitive means. 
     
     
       16. The portable electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein one of the one or more third input signals corresponds to circular object motion across the annular touch-sensitive outer surface means between the movable circular input means and the central touch sensitive means.